BARRE — Santa and the Central Vermont Council on Aging could use help.

The council delivers hot holiday meals to seniors on Christmas Day and wants to include a gift with every meal.

The council is looking for shoeboxes filled with small items like slippers, socks, winter hats, pretty soaps, lotions, note cards, small decorative items, mugs, potholders and nonperishable food.

Those giving a box can either wrap it themselves or have the council wrap it. The council asks those donating to mark whether their gift is for a man or a woman. Financial donations are also accepted to help pay for the meals.

Shoeboxes or donations can be delivered or mailed to the council at 59 N. Main St., Suite 200 in Barre.